Agartala, the capital town of the eastern state of Tripura, is a storehouse of rich cultural diversity. Surrounded by hills on three sides, Agartala is a picturesque city in northeastern India. The city has many remarkable buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style (a mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture), the most prominent of which is the Ujayanta Palace, built in 1901 by Maharaja Radha Krishna Kishore Manikya Bahadur.

Boatmen on the Dal lake with their shikaras gliding by, Mjughal gardens that make one feel like they have stepped out of royal times, the cuisine with its succulent meat dishes and salty tea- Srinagar will give you all of this and more. Beautiful place with a beautiful people, Srinagar continues to provide hope that paradise will once more be regained.

It is true that Srinagar, indeed like the rest of the Valley continues to be in the throes of trouble but when there is the first hint that things have settled, don't forget to pack your bags and head here for a piece of heaven.

Population: About 1,238,530

Climate:Pleasant summers here with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 24ºC and snowbound winters bring temperatures plunging to 7ºC in the day to -5ºC at night. Frequent showers are common in the months of July through September.

Main Language(s): Urdu, Hindi and English

Time Zone: GMT + 05:30

Best Time To Visit: Anytime when it is not snowing, and even then, it is a great place for people who live without ever experiencing snowfall. April to October would be the ideal time.

Dal Lake

Say Dal lake and you are saying Srinagar. A shimmering expanse of beauty, the lake at the foot of the Zabarwan mountains, words do not even begin to do this marvel justice. Four artificial causeways divide the lake into the smaller Gagribal, the Lokut Dal, the Bod Dal and the Nagin Lake. Apart from the breath taking views, the lake also supports a life all its own. There are floating homes and shops, craft emporia and even gardens, a life so complete that one almost does not need the ground around it. Laze around on a shikara, or live in one of the houseboats and get your appetite taken care of at the Char Chinar, the restaurant in the middle of the lake.

Nagin Lake

The quietest, cleanest and loveliest part of the Dal, with the magnificent Hazratbal shrine lying just across its serene waters. Spend time swimming or water-skiing or just taking in the calm and heart-catching beauty of your environs.

Hazratbal Shrine

On the North-western shore of the Dal Lake, just opposite the Nishat Bagh, the stark white of the shrine blends with the snow-capped peaks behind it. Beautiful in its purity and considered one of the holiest of Muslim shrines in the country, a strand of Prophet Mohammed's sacred hair lies preserved here, displayed on special occasions.

Jama Masjid

Standing the test of time or more precisely the onslaught of many an attack and attempts at rebuilding is the Jama Masjid, arguably the oldest and the largest mosque in the state. This majestic Indo-Saracenic structure can accommodate nearly 30,000 devotees in its courtyard.

Shankaracharya Temple

Reaching into the heavens on a hilltop once known as the Takht-e-Sulaiman or the Seat of Solomon, is this ancient Shiva temple. The walk is pleasant and the views from up there of the city below will make you want to pitch tent and spend at least the next couple of years up there. Historic in value, worshipped and stunning, it feels like a walk up to heaven indeed.

Mughal Gardens

Poets and artists, songwriters and film makers alike have tried to capture the beauty of the Mughla Gardens - where typically quadrangular garden plots criss-crossed by pathways intersect at right angles. Mughal emperors no matter what their disposition seemed to have wanted a hand in creating this garden of loveliness. Spread around the city, take a walk into Nishat Bagh with the Dal Lake spread out in front and the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. It has not earned the name 'The Garden of Bliss' without reason. Considered the most bewitching of all the Mughal Gardens it was laid out in 1633 by Asaf Khan, brother of Empress Noor Jahan.

Then there is the Shalimar Bagh, the garden that was built by Emperor Jehangir for his queen. The quiet and privacy of the place almost brings back visions of the queen and her royal entourage walking the gardens. Shallow terraces, polished stones, a black marble pavilion or an evening sound and light show that brings to life, the glory of Jehangir's court as it once must have been.

It often comes to mind when in Srinagar that the creator was in a wonderfully benevolent mood when he made the Valley. There is not just a feast for the eye that you can expect here, but also that for the stomach. Kashmir has cuisine that turns one, quite justifiably, into a glutton.

While strict vegetarians might find it hard to enjoy, Wazwan, the traditional Kashmiri meal is an extravaganza of meat. Prepared under the careful supervision of the Wazas, the traditional chefs, the Wazwan is made up of traditional delicacies like the Rishta, the Gushtaba (boneless meatballs dipped in curry) or the Yakhani (stewed mutton curry) to be had with supple naans or gleaming white rice.

Once you have had your fill, sit back and gaze into this land of beauty with a cup of piping hot Kahwa, the aromatic spiced tea you get only in the Valley. Walk around and eat anywhere when your stomach just greed demands it.

Ahdoo's Hotel
Along Residency Road
Srinagar

Alka Salka
Along Residency Road
Srinagar

Mughal Darbar
Along Residency Road
Srinagar

Sultan Bakery
Near Dal Lake
Srinagar

Lhasa Restaurant
Boulevard Road
Srinagar

Srinagar has a population that comprises both Hindus and Muslims among others so while the temples and mosques here celebrate festivals that are important to them, Srinagar celebrates most of the major religious festivals of the country. Id is of course celebrated on a much grander scale being one of the most important festivals to the Muslims as are Dussehra and Diwali, which are great religious occasions for the Hindus.